In Which I Actually Write Something and Post Some Pictures, Too.

Oh, what's this? I have a knitting blog? Weird! Guess I'd better post something every now and again.

It's been all deliciously gloomy and dark every day I've NOT been at work and able to take pictures. But finally, last Saturday was a beautiful, sunny 80 degree day for some picture taking. So here you go.

First:

Pattern : My-So-Called Scarf

Yarn: Two hanks of Manos Del Uruguay in Wildflowers Multi (113), from Flying Fingers -- my favorite online yarn store!

Needles: US 11 Aluminum (vintage, they were my Great-Grandma's)

Modifications: Um, well please don't ask my why mine curls in, when everyone else's I've seen online lays flat. (I made it lay flat for the picture) But that's the way I like it so I don't mind. I guess I modified it without knowing. See, that's just how good I am.

Start to Finish: Several weeks, on and off. I never remember to pay attention to when I start something. I finished it just after Christmas.

For: Me! The first thing I've knit that I've kept for myself!

Then:

Pattern : Squirrel and Oak Mittens

Yarn: One ball each of Dale of Norway Hauk in orange and natural.

Needles: US 3 bamboo DPNs

Modifications: The only intentional modification was changing the year from 2006 to 1981 (my birth year). There are also a few mistakes in there, but overall I'm very happy with them! This was my first venture into knitting in the round, DPNs, colorwork and chart reading. I was nervous but it ended up being SO easy and a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to making another pair for my friend Jen and not making the same mistakes this time.

Start to Finish: I think these only took about a week total. They were very fast and very addicting. I have a new-found love for mittens and knitting in the round. And I now understand all those crazy sock knitters!

For: Me again!

And more:

Pattern: Eleganty Simple Baby Blanket

Yarn: 11 (eleven!) balls of KnitPicks Shine Sport in Coral

Needles: US 7 bamboo circulars

Modifications: Well, first of all the yarn was the wrong weight which gave me a blanket that's about 6 feet wide and only about 4 feet long. It looks more like a shawl than a baby blanket. But the yarn is deliciously soft and has a nice heaviness to it.

Start to Finish: The pattern isn't kidding about simple, but it sure is time consuming. I just realized that I actually started this blanket after Christmas and I just finished it last night. So it only took a bit over a month. However, I was working on it almost constantly in every spare moment I had. This is the second time I've done this pattern and the first time it took me about 4 months to complete. This was also the first pattern I ever learned to read and I really like it -- if only it didn't take SO long!

For: My friends' new baby they're adopting from Taiwan -- Little Pudding Cake Ruby Mei!

And finally! A sewing project!

Pattern: Apron pattern from Amy Butler's In Stitches - I can't tell you how in love I am with this book. It's very easy to read, has excellent projects and beautiful pictures. I'm on a quest to make every single thing in the book. Except maybe those horrible pom pom pillows on the cover.

Fabric: Pretty much the cutest fabric ever from Repotdepot Fabrics -- my online fabric dream. The patterned fabric is called Baumvogel from the Westfalenstoffe (I'm cool! I've been to Westfalen, Germany!) collection. The red trim is just cotton from Jo-Ann's. 1 yard of each.

Modifications: I didn't make the ends of the ties into points -- I just like the way they look squared off better.

Start to Finish: One night to cut all the pieces + one night for all the sewing. Probably about 6-8 hours total. Love it!

For: Me again! Yay!

So folks, there you have it. Now I'm off to finish the Debbie Bliss Garter Stitch blanket, another pair of Squirrel and Oak mittens, a little something for my friend's bun in the oven and I'm sure there will be some surprises ahead as well. :)

Mad Hatter

Why hello there and good morning. Isn't my friendly new bamboo so jaunty in his picture there? I carried him around last night while doing various duties. Started out in the kitchen, then moved to my desk while I transfered pictures, and now he's next to my bathroom sink. He's my pet and I love him. He was worth every penny of $14.99.

So, on to some FO pics. That's right. It's basically a bunch of hats. For Christmas presents. Cause they're fast and cheap. And I'm all about fast and cheap.

A) Charcoal Ribbed Hat


And for a bit more detail...


Pattern : Chunky Ribbed Hat (And is it ever!)
Yarn: Lionbrand Thick N Quick in Charcoal (about 3/4 of a 5oz skein)
Needles: size 10 bamboo circs
Modifications: I think the yarn I used is quite a bit thicker than the yarn called for in the pattern. The pattern says to cast on 84, but when I did that, I ended up with a length almost twice the circumference of my head! So I did a little measuring and figured that there were 2 stitches per inch (!), my head is 22" around, so I cast on 46 instead (I'm assuming my dad's head is a bit bigger than mine).
Start to Finish: Not sure on dates. But I'm estimating that it took me 6-8 hours to knit up over about 1.5 weeks.
For: My pops.

This hat was super easy, super quick and I love it in this yarn. It's SO thick and chunky, which is perfect for my dad cause he's out shoveling/snowblowing the driveway and sidewalks all winter. It should keep him pretty toasty. The one problem I had, which I know Christen had, too, was that the length is a bit weird. It's too long not to fold up but too short to really fold it up effectively. So, either needs to be longer or shorter. You decide. I am doing one more of these for a friend and I think I'll do it shorter.


B) Martha Stewart 'Learning to Knit' Hat


Pattern : Learning to Knit
Yarn: Knit Picks Bare in Natural and Panache in Moss
Needles: Size 15 aluminum
Modifications: None!
Start to Finish: Two hours while watching TV earlier this week. Only two hours!
For: My SIL Toni.

I actually made two hats from this pattern before with some wool that I kool-aid dyed. But I don't have any good pictures yet. (Maybe that'll be the topic for tomorrow's blog - Kool-Aid Dying and More Hats.) The panache turned out nicer than the wool, but they're all cute anyway! And Christen made an absolutely adorable one in red and brown that I adore.

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And now for a WIP: The Debbie Bliss Garter Stitch Blanket from Baby Knits for Beginners. The pattern calls for Cashmerino Aran but my LYS doesn't carry it. So I'm substituting Classic Yarns Cashsoft DK. And let me tell you - it's absolute heaven.


I made up two squares last night in about an hour and I was having the time of my life. This yarn on my spanking new short bamboo 8's was like eating gelato. Smooth and creamy and smile inducing. So, the project is going to be one that I work on intermittently between other projects, when I need a little treat break. Knitting up the cute little squares is fun...but the seaming of all of those little rascals at the end is going to test my sanity. I need seaming practice though so...whatev.

Okay, so this blog thing takes a lot of time. And I'm at work. Not doing work. I'd better sign off for now but before I do...

It's December 1st!!!

I'm dying...yarn. Nov 22, 2006 (moved)

And I'm back! Nevermind that it's been nearly a month - but I haven't had anything new to post!

However, that's all changed now thanks to the arrival of my much anticipated order from knitpicks. I got some lovely bare wool to dye, along with some yummy coral colored sport weight for a project under wraps and one ball of cushy moss colored goodness that I don't know what to do with yet.

Last night I took the plunge into Kool-Aid dying. Exhibit A:

See photos of the whole process here.

The color didn't turn out as saturated as I had hoped. I used more than enough Kool-Aid for the amount of yarn, but I think this wool just soaked it up differently than my test run with some Argentine wool did. It's not very even either. But I'm still excited about it and can't wait to get the project for which it is intended done!

I do have a couple of finished projects that I can't show you at this time because they are Christmas presents. Actually, everything I'll be working on for the next month will have to stay a secret until after they're gifted. So watch out!

J is picking me up in 2 hours for our arduous journey to the Northern reaches of Utah. But spending 3 whole days with the fam, eating pie and knitting and visiting will be well worth the drive. I miss those kids. Happy Thanksgiving yo!

P.S. And a very Happy Birthday to Kelly on the 23rd and to Christen on the 27th! I love you girlies!

Pilot. Oct 30, 2006 (moved)

Okay, we're going to give this blog thing a whirl. I'll probably lose interest in a couple of days but we'll see how long I can keep it up, to keep you peeps in the know. Also, since I'm way too lazy to keep an actual journal for myself and my future progeny, maybe this can be a substitute that I'll actually use!

So my lovelies, this weekend was spent with friends and my knitting needles. Friday night was a night of Dinner/Sunkist/Mario Cart debauchery at Ruth & Eric's house. A fabulous time was had by all and resulted in my spilling soda all over their living room rug on my way out - one of my specialties.

I spent the majority of Saturday cleaning, organizing, and finishing my first knitted garment. Ta da!

See the rest of the pics here!

(Okay, I just lost half of this blog when I went to post it, so if the rest of it sucks, it’s cause I’m not doing a very good re-write job.)

John and I went out on the town Saturday night for dinner at P.F. Chang’s (AKA The Most Delicious Delectables Ever) and to see Running With Scissors (AKA Occasionally Funny, Mostly Disturbing Movie).

Sunday was one of the most lovely, delicious days I’ve ever experienced. The weather was just perfect and autumn-y (if a tad warm for my October Weather Preference). I had all the doors and windows open and just had a grand time knitting and cleaning and other favorite activities like hand washing sweaters and vacuuming. I’m cool.

But sadly, that night, we bid farewell to our dear, dear friends Ryan & Kelly who are moving away. The just bought a house about two hours south of here – about which we are so stoked for them. We will miss them terribly and will miss not being able to party at a moment’s notice but look forward to many visits and fabulous adventures as often as possible. I’m really good at grammar and run-on sentences.

So, today is the start of another workweek. The weekends go by much too quickly for my liking but I cherish ever second. Until next time, my dears!